Games workers, media praise closed-loop services

ZHANGJIAKOU－With the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games around the corner, the services inside the closed loop have won praise from international media and technical officers.

Associated Press photographer Jae Hong, who rode a long way from Beijing to cover the Zhangjiakou Olympic Village's opening on Thursday, gave two thumbs-up to the transfers offered by the Games organizing committee.

When talking about the transfer shuttle from Beijing, he said it is "always on time, and always as scheduled."

Fawzi Nijem, a technical officer from the United States, said his life in the closed loop was going smoothly.

"I've been assigned to stay in a good hotel. Everything is really good; the facilities, I mean everything," he said.

The dining options have also won praise from the foreign media working inside the loop.

"I'm so impressed with the restaurants. The robots serve food intelligently, it is very efficient and the food tastes great. The whole process is clean and hygienic," said Open Broadcaster Software technician Martinus Guezen.

Tasos Katopodis from Getty Images was also impressed with the robots.

"I especially like the overhead delivery. I think it's really cool because there are machines like this in the United States, but they are not used for catering. It's amazing to know that such robots are also used in ordinary restaurants in China," Katopodis told Xinhua.

At the Genting Ski Resort in Zhangjiakou, curious international guests have already tried world famous Chinese cuisine, including spicy Sichuan hot pot.

United States team officer Brick Bill said that this edition of the Games has clearly learned from the last one.

"I think the Beijing Games will go very well. I went to the Tokyo Olympics, and I think some lessons (from Tokyo 2020) have been learned. So I think it will be better."

For Nijem, who is now experiencing his fifth Olympics, his wish is to find more affordable Games souvenirs.

"I think the souvenirs are generally a little expensive. I wonder if the organizers could give some discounts for those of us who work inside the loop, so that everyone will have an even better memory."

Xinhua